Switzerland’s many overland-transport links with its neighbours are heavily used. Transit traffic is extremely important. The bilateral agreement on overland transport with the European Union (EU) is therefore a major mainstay of Swiss transport policy. This makes it possible to implement a transport policy that is coordinated with the EU. Its guidelines are sustainable mobility, environmental protection, the avoidance of detour traffic and comparable competitive conditions.

Under the agreement, Switzerland and the EU are progressively opening up their markets to each other in the fields of road and rail transport, for both passengers and freight. One of its provisions permits Switzerland to levy its performance-related heavy-vehicle fee (HVF).